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Master Zacharius, when he perceived Gerande, went forward and took her by the hand, and led her towards Pittonaccio, saying, "Behold your lord and master, my daughter. Gerande, behold your husband!" Gerande shuddered from head to foot. "Never!" cried Aubert, "for she is my betrothed." "Never!" responded Gerande, like a plaintive echo. Pittonaccio began to laugh.
The door yielded under the blows, and a dishevelled, haggard, ill-clothed man appeared. "My father!" cried Gerande. It was Master Zacharius. "Where am I?" said he. "In eternity! Time is ended the hours no longer strike the hands have stopped!" "Father!" returned Gerande, with so piteous an emotion that the old man seemed to return to the world of the living.
Aubert was the first apprentice whom Master Zacharius had ever admitted to the intimacy of his labours, for he appreciated his intelligence, discretion, and goodness of heart; and this young man had attached himself to Gerande with the earnest devotion natural to a noble nature. Gerande was eighteen years of age.
Aubert repaired to his own room; Gerande sat pensively by the window, whilst the last lights were disappearing from the city streets; and Scholastique, having poured a little water on the flickering embers, and shut the two enormous bolts on the door, threw herself upon her bed, where she was soon dreaming that she was dying of fright. Meanwhile the terrors of this winter's night had increased.
"Yes like my glory! But it is shut up in the château of Andernatt, and I wish to see it again!" The hermit crossed himself; Scholastique became almost inanimate. Aubert held Gerande in his arms. "The château of Andernatt is inhabited by one who is lost," said the hermit, "one who does not salute the cross of my hermitage." "My father, go not thither!" "I want my soul! My soul is mine " "Hold him!
He passed along the kind of inclined plane which conducted to one of the long corridors, whose arches seemed to banish daylight from beneath their heavy springings. His advance was unresisted. Gerande, Aubert, and Scholastique closely followed him. Master Zacharius, as if guided by an irresistible hand, seemed sure of his way, and strode along with rapid step.
She is not the least beautiful of watches; but she will end by stopping also " "My daughter, my Gerande! No!" "Well, return to your watches, Master Zacharius. Adjust and readjust them. Get ready the marriage of your daughter and your apprentice. Temper your springs with your best steel. Bless Aubert and the pretty Gerande. But remember, your watches will never go, and Gerande will not wed Aubert!"
One of the houses of the island was striking for its curiously aged appearance. It was the dwelling of the old clockmaker, Master Zacharius, whose household consisted of his daughter Gerande, Aubert Thun, his apprentice, and his old servant Scholastique. There was no man in Geneva to compare in interest with this Zacharius. His age was past finding out.
So, with the double purpose of drawing her father back to God, and to the world, Gerande resolved to call religion to her aid.
How could Master Zacharius read the hour on this strange creature's visage? "By-the-bye," continued the old watchmaker, paying no further attention to the matter, "I have not seen Aubert for several days." "He has not left us, however, father," said Gerande, whose thoughts turned into a gentler channel. "What is he doing then?" "He is working." "Ah!" cried the old man.
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